Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015
Community/Financial Services Progress Edition II — Section 2
THINKING OF JOINING? ■ Those
interested in the Weirton Heights Rotary Club may attend a meeting, held at 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Three Springs Drive Eat’n Park, or contact President Roger Isla at (304) 914-3573. Those interested in the Weirton Rotary Club may attend a meeting, held at noon Wednesdays at Williams Country Club located at 1000 Williams Drive, or contact George Kondik at (304) 797-1607.
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Those interested in the Brooke County Rotary Club may attend a meeting, held at noon Thursdays at the Station Grille, located at 1200 Commerce St., Wellsburg, or contact President Jerry R. Simpson at (740) 283-2970.
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ʻService above selfʼ
Those interested in the Steubenville Rotary Club may attend a meeting, held at noon Fridays at the YWCA located at 320 N. Fourth St., or contact President the Rev. Ashley Steele at (740) 282-8010.
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Mark Miller
The Steubenville Rotary Club held its annual Christmas party in December at the Steubenville YWCA. The event included visiting children, food, carols, Christmas presents and a visit from jolly St. Nick himself. Those involved included, from left, Andrea Prosko, Rotary member; Santa Claus; Joshua Hillman; Nayonna Narramore; and Michelle Wilson, Rotary member. The party is one of the longtime traditions of the club, which was chartered on April 1, 1921.
Reflecting that belief are Rotary clubs of Upper Ohio Valley By SUMMER WALLACE-MINGER Staff writer Rotary International’s motto is “service above serve,” and the Upper Ohio Valley’s Rotary clubs reflect that belief, donating to charities and dedicating their time and efforts to area causes. In addition, the clubs use what they call the “Four-Way Test” to evaluate their speech and behavior. The test is four questions, and they include: ¯ Is it the truth? ¯ Is it fair to all concerned? ¯ Will it build good will and better friendships? ¯ Will it be beneficial to all concerned? “It provides us with guidance,” said Roger Isla, Weirton Heights Rotary Club president. “We talk about it at the beginning of every meeting.” The Weirton Heights Club meets at
7:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Three Springs Drive Eat’n Park and the group brings in local speakers. “It’s nice to have a breakfast club,” Isla said. “Not everyone can make a lunch meeting, so it’s nice to have a choice here in the area, to fit different people’s schedules.” The Weirton Heights group is the sponsor of the Madonna High School Interact Club, which won a Make A Difference Day award in 2013 for its community service project. Being involved with the high school club allows the students the opportunity to network with local community leaders and learn more about professional fields in which they may be interested. It also provides students with “locally grown” examples of success in various fields. The Weirton Heights club sponsors area students at a weekend leadership program. The club is planning to establish a scholarship at
Staff Photo
Weirton Rotary members, from left, James Dowdy, Steve Kladakis, Jay Marino and George Kondik, discuss the club’s scholarship program, open to Brooke, Madonna, Oak Glen or Weir High School graduates. Through fundraisers, the club has been able to establish an $80,000 scholarship endowment.
West Virginia Northern Community College. “We’re developing it, and it’s expected to be awarded this academic year,” said Isla. The scholarship will be awarded to a nontraditional student in light of the
number of displaced workers in the area who need re-training in another field. Projects like this and other similar ones are part of the club’s dedication to “service above self,” according to Isla.
“A big part of our involvement is a sense of community, cultivating community leaders and improving and growing,” he said. Those who find success See ROTARY Page 2B ➪
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in the community have a responsibility to give back to that community — it’s a cycle with a stronger community leading to more successful small businesses, Isla said. “It takes it to another level,” he said. “When you’re a small business in the community, it’s part of your inherent responsibilities. Giving back to the community, helping it grow, you see a return. It benefits the businesses themselves.” The club’s projects range from local — such as helping feed 300 people at Thanksgiving as a partnership with All Saints Greek Orthodox Church — to international, including supporting Rotary International’s program to eliminate polio and sending shelter boxes to places where significant natural disasters have occurred. The Weirton Heights Mardi Gras Charity Ball will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at Williams Country Club located at 1000 Williams Drive. “It is our major fundraiser,” said Isla. It will feature live music by the Groove Doctors, a Cajunstyle menu, prize drawings and Mardi Gras-themed party favors. The first Al Lauttamus Memorial $500 drawing will be held. The drawing honors founding member Al Lauttamus, who died last year. All those sponsoring the event will be entered into the drawing; the winner need not be present. Innovative Surgical Group at Weirton Medical Center is the platinum sponsor for the ball. “They came from Pittsburgh to this area,” Isla said. “The group has a connection with the local area and they’re returning after gaining a lengthy experience in Pittsburgh.” The surgical group includes James Belsuska, LaRue Thomas
and Lance Weaver. Three sponsorship levels are available. Valet parking will be provided, and the dress code is suit and tie or evening gown. Ticket are $60 per person. For information or to purchase tickets or sponsorships, contact Jack Fowler at (304) 748-5577 or Isla at (304) 914-3573. The ball raises funds for a different charity chosen by the club each year. In past years, the club has the Table of Hope, the Community Bread Basket, Weirton Christian Center and Piece by Peace. The beneficiary is chosen by that year’s president. The Social Media Advisory Counsel is this year’s selected charity. The recently founded group works to raise awareness about cautious and effective com-
munication and social media privacy issues. The group hopes to give presentations for schools, youth groups, businesses, clubs and governmental agencies. Dave Whalen said the counsel hopes to encourage children and adults to be responsible users of
affect your future,” with social media becoming ubiquitous in everyday life with sites such as Vine, Tumblr, Pinterest and Facebook.
social media. “It’s beginning to be used in background searches,” he said. “Children are very active on it, and they don’t always use it well — and this is something that can
“Here’s the thing: This needs to be communicated,” Whalen said. “We’ve only had (social media) a short while. We’ve had See ROTARY Page 3B ➪
Staff Photo
The Brooke County Rotary Club presented Awards of Recognition to local school leaders for their part in providing backpacks filled with food to children in families in need as well as making a monetary contribution to each through a grant through Rotary International. On hand were, from left, Jerry Simpson, club president; Nadine Sweda, principal of Jefferson Primary School; Nicole Ennis, principal of Hooverson Heights Primary School; and Marty Bartz, assistant superintendent of Brooke County Schools, who accepted for Scott Donohew, principal of Franklin Primary School.
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cars for a 100 years, but we are still telling people to wear their seat belt and not to drink and drive. We need to keep putting the message out there. It’s not just for kids, it’s for parents and grandparents, too.” Whalen added social media also is a good place to apply Rotary’s Four-Way Test. “If you take the Four-Way Test, there’s a good chance you’re not going to get into trouble,” he said. “Parents should talk to their kids about using the test. It’s very easy to use, and it doesn’t matter what (social media) platform.” Some young adults aren’t taught their social media activity can impact their professional lives, and some of the things they share can later become a disadvantage with employers and colleges. Information on the counsel is available at the website, smacounsel.org. The Weirton Rotary Club’s largest project of the year is its scholarship program, open to Brooke, Madonna, Oak Glen and Weir high school graduates. Scholarship applicants must live in Brooke or Hancock counties, plan to obtain a bachelor’s degree, have at least a 3.0 gradepoint average and demonstrate “service above self” by serving their school or community. The scholarship is $2,000 to each student. The scholarship endowment was established through a fundraiser 24 years ago, under then-President William E. Galloway’s leadership. The club raised $18,000 through a car drawing, and through a number of fundraisers during the past quarter century, have increased the endowment to $80,000. The club has distributed $95,000 in scholarships to area youth. The program is administered by the Weirton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Weirton Rotary Club Scholarship Committee. Stephen R. Kladakis has served as chair since the committee’s inception in 1990. Members have included William Cattrell, James Dowdy, William Galloway, Robert Gracey, John Newbrough, Dan Wilson, Douglas Finton and Dr. Sarjit Singh. The club has been recognized with a community service award for its scholarship efforts by the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission. Members plan to introduce a $500 scholarship for a West Virginia Northern Community College student pursuing accounting in Wilson’s memory. However, the club also is involved in supporting the Weirton United Way, local Scouting groups and the Weirton Rotary Youth Soccer League. The club was instrumental in establishing the J.C. Williams Soccer Complex. Other youth-based initiatives include one in which Lauretta B. Millsop Primary School fourthgraders attend a Rotary meeting, interview a Rotarian and write a report on the visit. “We’ve done that for seven years in a row,” Kladakis said. The club also hosts an annual breakfast with Santa for area children. Members volunteer their time and have done projects such as painting the shelter houses at the Marland Heights Pool, cleaning up brush, planting flowers and ringing the bell for the Weirton Salvation Army. “We have an excellent club for the number of people we have,” George Kondik said. The club’s charitable projects range from donating computer desks at Weir High School, large-
print books to an area senior cenSimpson was able to donate the past district governors among its ter and library and computers at copier through his Steubenville members and has received severthe Weirton Christian Center to office supply business, and Hen- al district governor’s awards as donating 10 $1,000 shelter boxes wood received the van as an well. “Our members just con— for a total of anonymous donation from a cus- tribute. We may be small in num$10,000 — to relief tomer and refurbished it. bers, but we are mighty in the efforts in Haiti folThe club is involved with services we provide.” lowing the 2010 Hooverson Heights and WellsOne of the club’s larger projearthquake. burg primary schools’ backpack ects was the recent refurbish“That was a food program and a similar week- ment of Weirton Medical Center worldwide end program at Brooke High pediatrics play room. The club Rotary projSchool. The programs also are secured a $1,000 grant from ect,” James supported by local churches, Rotary International to purchase Dowdy including St. Anthony Catholic furniture, two video game consaid. Church, ReFocus Church and the soles, books and toys for the The Wellsburg Area Ministerium. room in a project initiated by group Program sponsors donate food then-President Rejeana Palma. also for the backpacks, which the chil- The club worked with Brooke has dren take home with them on High School students, who also partic- weekends, when school breakpurchased a television and paintipated in fasts and lunches aren’t available ed murals. other Rotary to them. The children receive “If a child was in (pediatrics) International projhelp without attention being or their brother or sister was, ects, including providing called to them, because most chil- and they needed something to polio immunizations and studren carry backpacks. play with, they can go there,” dent exchange programs. The local women’s shelter also Simpson said. “That was one of “Our members have probably hosted between 30 and 50 students,” Kondik said. The Weirton club participates in a leader exchange program in which a Rotarian leads a group of four to five other people in a cultural exchange with a club in another country. The Weirton club has led trips to several other countries, including Japan, Brazil, Germany, France and Chile. The group fundraises throughout the year to support Staff Photo its charitable projWeirton Heights Rotary President Roger Isla, left, and Dave Whalen of the Social Media ects, but holds one Advisory Counsel discuss the Weirton Heights Rotary’s upcoming Mardi Gras Ball large fundraiser each on Feb. 14. The fundraiser will benefit the advisory counsel. year — recently, the club has held a Black and White has received donations of funds, our bigger projects.” ball, but is now holding its Run cleaning supplies and personal The club also has donated Cudfor the Roses event to coincide hygiene items, and the club also dle Clouds by Craig Cribs to with May’s Kentucky Derby. has installed benches at the facil- those children in the pediatrics “We like to mix it up and keep ity. The members also participate ward at Christmastime. it fresh,” Jay Marino said. in a vocational day at Brooke The Brooke County Rotary The club, which is the parent High, during which they talk to Club also undertook providing a club for the Weirton Heights students about their professional See ROTARY Page 6B ➪ Rotary and Brooke County field, and maintained a booth at Rotary clubs, invites a wide the Wellsburg Applefest. range of speakers to its weekly “We don’t meeting — from high school-age have just scholarship recipients to local one big legislators. It boasts five former fundraiser,” district governors and was the Simpson 350th club in the world to become said, nota 100 percent Paul Harris Fellow ing the club — meaning that every mem- club ber of the club has contributed counts $1,000 to Rotary projects. several “We continue to remain a 100 percent club,” Kladakis said. The Brooke County Club is open to those who live or work in the Ohio Valley, and the club’s projects are aimed at helping youth, according to President Jerry Simpson. “We’re just a group of local business people who meet once a week and look at how we can do something good for the community so we can give back,” he said. “A lot of our projects primarily help youth and seniors.” One of those is the club’s Adopt-a-Family project, during which the club adopts a family at Christmastime, providing gifts. “We’ve done it for 25 years, and over that time, we’ve helped approximately 160 families and probably almost 500 kids,” said Simpson. The club also reads to Jefferson Primary School kindergarteners; provides two $500 scholarships to Brooke High School seniors pursuing a business-related profession; and provides food and monetary assistance to the Holy Family Catholic Mission’s food pantry and the REACH program. The club also was able to donate a copier — through Simpson’s Borden Office Equipment — and a van — through member Gerry Henwood’s Wellsburg Tire and Collision — to the Holy Family food pantry. The pantry was formed in 2004 to assist flood victims and continues to serve the county, as many have lost industrial jobs in the past decade.
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Learning about the Bible By DAVE GOSSETT Staff writer
STEUBENVILLE — It is a Monday afternoon in the basement of the First Westminster Presbyterian Church and the kids are excited as Bobbyjon Bauman, president of the Valley Youth Workers Network/Pastor of Youth & Young Families at Starkdale Presbyterian Church takes his place at the front of the room. The weekly Sonshine Children’s Bible Club is now in session. The program for Steubenville elementary school pupils started Oct. 6 and will continue until May. “When we first started we thought maybe we would see 25 pupils. But the numbers have reached 140 kids some weeks and we have seen a very enthusiastic and strong response. It has been very encouraging and very rewarding,” declared Bauman. “I started the club because I had a desire for a club for youth here in Steubenville. I approached the city school district and Superintendent Melinda Young was very supportive and offered to bus the kids to a central location which turned out to be
First Westminster Presbyterian Church,” Bauman explained. “We have a staff of 25 to 30 adult volunteers from various area churches as well as several retired teachers and substitute teachers. The churches who are helping us include Mt. Zion Baptist, Tower of Power, Second Baptist, Starkdale Presbyterian, Grace Lutheran and the Crossroads Church. We also have volunteers from Harding Middle School, the Jefferson County Christian School and Buckeye Local High School,” noted Bauman. “We meet every Monday from 2:30 to 4:15 p.m.. I lead the singing and the kids hear different Bible stories and are taught a Bible verse to memorize. We rotate the teachers every seven weeks,” Bauman explained. “These are very energetic kids and we have split them into three different groups. There is Pre-K and kindergarten, first and second graders and third fourth and fifth grade groups. And the kids love their time here every Monday,” continued Bauman. Ella Jane Burns is a kitchen vol-
unteer who is at the weekly club meeting. “I love kids and they should know more about Jesus and the Bible. They are a wonderful group of kids and they make me feel younger when I am around them,” said Burns. “I decided to volunteer because I attend Starkdale Presbyterian Church and they asked for volunteers. I like being here and I plan to keep volunteering. This is something very good for our community
already attend. Children who do not go to church are also welcome to attend as well. The club is open to anyone who wishes to come as long as they have completed a parent(s)/Guardian’s permission form. Information is available by contacting Bobbyjon Bauman, president of the Valley Youth Workers Net-
and I am proud to help in any way I can,” stated Tammy Sweeney. “This is an ecumenical effort and is not meant to get kids to go to the club leaders’ particular church but encourages them in their faith and to go to the church their parents
work/Pastor of Youth & Young Families at Starkdale Presbyterian Church in Steubenville, (608) 5563068 or bobbyjonbauman@gmail.com. (Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)
Dozens of Steubenville City School pupils attend the Sonshine Children’s Bible Club every Monday afternoon at the First Westminster Presbyterian Church on North Fourth Street. Bobbyjon Bauman of the Valley Youth Workers Network has organized the study group with the assistance of several adult volunteers. Dave Gossett
Dave Gossett
The Sonshine Children’s Bible Club poses for a photo during a recent Monday afternoon event at the First Westminster Presbyterian Church on North Fourth Street. The more than 100 children are transported to the church every Monday afternoon by the Steubenville school district.
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Christmas meal and gifts for the entire community of McKinleyville after major flooding in 2004. “That was a nice project,” Simpson said. “Everyone in the community stepped up and helped.” In addition to the community service opportunities the club offers, members enjoy the opportunity to network. “I look forward to the meetings, going to lunch and having that camaraderie,” Simpson said.
Steubenville Rotary President the Rev. Ashley Steele agreed — Rotary is a great way to meet people. Over its more than 100 years in existence, Rotary has brought together people from all walks — business people, clergy, educators — to improve their communities. “Bringing together all different people remains a key to what we do,” Steele said, adding that another key part of Rotary was the “Four-Way Test.”
“We read it each week before our meeting.” The group meets at noon Fridays at the YWCA located at 320 N. Fourth St. “We really enjoy coming together to improve our community,” she said. “It’s individuals working together for the whole. It takes everybody.” Rotary’s strength comes from bringing together people with different viewpoints and backgrounds to network, make connections and share
information about needs in the community and how best to address them. “It makes sense to have a group of all these different people,” she said. “I look forward to (meetings). Not only because of the good we do, but because of the people.” The weekly speakers are another benefit to attending Rotary meetings, Steele said. The club strives to schedule speakers who allow members to learn about new professions and projects. “It gives us different perspectives — we want to have good, interesting, thought-provoking speakers,” she said. And the club also keeps the motto “service above self” in mind. “A lot of what we do centers around youth,” she said. “We have a number of things going on.” Club members read at area elementary schools, provide scholarships for high school students and
pass out dictionaries at schools. Members also participate in a program allowing high school students to shadow them at work and learn more about professions in which they are interested. The club sponsors the Steubenville High School Interact Club, and students, along with their principals and counselors, are invited to attend Rotary meetings based on their academic or community service achievements. Steubenville Rotary also participates in youth exchange, hosting students visiting from other countries. “Typically, we have a lot of kids coming here, but we also have sent students overseas,” Steele said. The club also holds a children’s Christmas celebration each year, distributing gifts. The Steubenville club also has been involved in Rotary International’s
“Business and professional people working together to make your community a better place for everyone to live and work.”
GROWING STRONG BRENDA MULL AMBER NEST PATTY SOPLINSKI President
Office Manager
Member Services
3174 Penna. Ave. Suite 1 • Weirton, West Virginia 26062 Phone: 304-748-7212 Fax: 304-748-0241 www.weirtonchamber.com info@weirtonchamber.com
efforts to eradicate polio and provide potable drinking water in third-world countries. “We emphasize service as a key thing for us, but it’s also about being welcoming,” said Steele. “We are not a closed group. We always want to welcome anyone who wants to come.” Steele said it was important for members to work to be an example of community service and outreach to others — to be a “light in the community.” “It takes every single person doing their part to bring about change for the good,” Steele said. “We’ve realized that we are all in this together.” The Rotary holds drawings for big-ticket items like televisions, vacations and sports tickets at its annual Christmas party to raise money, and it also is a social event for members and prospective members. The club holds its annual Oktoberfest fundraiser, featuring Germanstyle food and polka music. The club also holds a year-long cash drawing. One ticket buys 28 chances to win a $50 drawing throughout a year, with $100 bonus drawings in December, April, June and October. Information about the club can be found at the website steubenvillerotary.or g. The club also has a Facebook page.
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Janice Kiaski
The annual Joe Fortunato and Community Awards Banquet held in November at the Mingo Knights of Columbus Hall and sponsored by the Mingo Business Association included the presentation of community awards in various categories, including, from left, athlete, Joe Fortunato, accepted by his brother, Butch Caputo; music and arts, Rob Parissi, accepted by Francesca Carinci; coach/administrator, the late Woody Hayes, accepted by Jene Watkins; business/professional, Pesta’s Market, accepted by Becky Pesta; community service, Darlene Hoff, accepted by her daughters, Kathy Bender and Sonnie Hendrus; community service, Sophie Schoolcraft; and veterans/first responders, the late Lt. Mike Maguschak Sr., accepted by his son, Mike Maguschak.
Mingo applauds its own
Joe Fortunato dinner expands to include community awards By JANICE R. KIASKI Staff writer
MINGO JUNCTION — It was an evening of Mingo Junction celebrating its own. The annual Joe
Fortunato dinner sponsored by the Mingo Business Association since 2007 was expanded in November to include a new element as various categories of honorees
were applauded at the Mingo Knights of Columbus Hall event. And that will be the case in the years to come as the Joe Fortunato and Community Awards banquet will be a November staple, with proceeds benefiting the Fortunato Scholarship Fund
and the public invited to nominate community honorees. For 2015, the deadline will be April 15. The first half of Saturday’s banquet was devoted to the first-time presentation of the MBA community awards announced by John Balzano and selected this time around
by the MBA. In addition to being presented plaques, the winners were given resolutions and certificates, courtesy of state Rep. Jack Cera, D-Bellaire; state Sen. Lou Gentile, D-Steubenville; U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, represented by Jim
Freiling of the MBA; Gov. John Kasich, represented by Mingo Councilman George Irvin Jr., master of ceremonies; Mayor John “Wiz” Fabian; and Kathy Freiling of the MBA. The community awards recognize people and businesses from Mingo Junction for their accomplishments and went to the following: ¯ Community Service: Sophie Schoolcraft, director of Mingo Junction Social Services for 25 years, village treasurer 34 years and active in the community in a variety of other ways “to make a real difference in the lives of others.” ¯ Community Service: Darlene Hoff, a former business owner who was a member of the GFWC Woman’s Club of Mingo Junction, serving as its president and now as an honorary member, and started the Mingo BeauSee MINGO Page 10B ➪
Owners of Chambers and James Funeral Homes active in the community
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015
WELLSBURG — Since Eric Fithyan became owner of Chambers and James Funeral Homes in 2011, he has worked with his staff to help not only those who step through the funeral homes’ doors but also many in the community and beyond. Often aided by volunteers, Fithyan has organized efforts to send cards and care packages to U.S. troops serving abroad, honor deceased veterans, remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and educate the public about organ donation, among other endeavors. Military veterans, living and deceased, have been a recurring concern for Fithyan. Each year the funeral homes collect sweaters for distribution to senior veterans living in area nursing homes. In the days leading up to Veterans Day, area residents and groups are invited to bring the sweaters to the two funeral homes in Follansbee and Wellsburg. Fithyan and his staff and several volunteers gather at one of the funeral homes to giftwrap the sweaters. Last year more than 300 sweaters were collected. Through their affiliation with Veterans and Family Memorial Care Funeral Home Providers, Chambers and James also collects monetary donations for Christmas wreaths to be placed on the graves of veterans in observance of Wreaths Across America Day. Last year the funeral homes also marked the occasion by gathering with members of the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad and TriState Young Marines and others by placing a wreath during a brief service held at the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park. The funeral home currently is inviting the community to drop off Valentines for troops serving in the U.S. and abroad through a project known
Contributed
Eric Fithyan, owner of Chambers and James Funeral Homes, and Ellen Daugherty, administrative assistant for the funeral homes, express thanks for community members who have supported various community projects. Behind them is a large chalkboard on which residents were encourageto write things they would like to accomplish before they die. as Operation Valentine. “We are collecting Valentine’s Day cards to send to our troops both overseas and stateside who serve to protect our freedoms. This message is a simple one, ‘Thank you so much for what you do, we always need you,” Fithyan said, adding that exact message was written by a child who submitted a Valentine for the effort. “This project is simple and meaningful, students and individuals throughout the community write messages to the troops on Valentine’s Day cards, cut-out hearts or whatever they like and we make sure they are delivered,” he said. Fithyan said individuals, schools, Sunday school classes and other groups are encouraged to submit the Valentines to James Funeral Home, 1245 Main St., Follansbee, or Chambers Funeral Home, 1030 Main St., Wellsburg, by Feb. 1. It’s the third year the funeral homes have conducted the activity, which is intended to boost the morale of servicemen and women who often are separated from their loved ones. Fithyan also organized a walk to memorialize the many first responders and others killed in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Local first-responders and community members were invited to march down Main Street from James Funeral Home to the Follansbee City Building, with firefighters carrying a Stokes basket, used to transport injured patients, to symbolize the many harmed or killed. A brief service was held prior to the walk, with Ernie Fithyan, Eric’s father, tolling a bell for the lives lost. Both were held just prior to a memorial service organized by city officials and conducted at the Ray Stoaks Plaza outside the City Building. The funeral homes also have teamed with the Center for Organ Recovery and Education in holding a short program to encourage people to register as organ donors. Local residents
whose lives were saved through donated organs. A flag promoting organ donation also was raised and a green light shone on it in observance of Donate Life Month, which is April. Last year the funeral homes launched a new project to coincide with the Wellsburg Applefest. Visitors to the threeday festivals and others were invited to share their life goals on a large chalkboard under the words, “Before I die...” To start off the activity, Fithyan wrote the words, “To inspire my community.” He said he hoped the experience would encourage people of all ages to share their hopes and think about things they’d like to accomplish, including goals that may improve their communities. Children with the Brooke-Hancock Retired and Senior Volunteer Program’s afterschool program and A Child’s Place Court-Appointed Special Advocates were among the first to sign the board. When the board was filled with goals, it was photographed and the photo was posted on the funeral homes’ Facebook page. Later Fithyan took the board to local schools, changing the top words to read, “Some time in my life I want to...” Fithyan said the board was inspired by a series of boards begun by Taiwanese-American artist
Candy Chang, who created the first on the wall of an abandoned house in New Orleans after a loved one died. He said such boards have been displayed in 60 countries, with wishes shared in 30 languages. He said as president of the Ohio District of the West Virginia Funeral Directors Association, he has encouraged others to post them. Fithyan also is an active member of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce, which named Chambers and James
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Funeral Homes Business of the Year in 2014; and the Wellsburg Chamber of commerce, for which he serves as chairman of its Christmas parade. The two funeral homes were acknowledged formally for their work in the community by Secretary of State Natalie Tennant. Fithyan said, “We have not only made progress by increasing the number of families we’ve served but also by making our communities a better place. To me, that is true progress.”
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Mingo Continued from Page 8B
tification movement, “who always wanted the best for her town.” A resident of Canton now, Hoff was in attendance, but the award was accepted by her daughters, Kathy Bender and Sonnie Hendrus. ¯ Veterans/First Responders: The late Lt. Mike Maguschak Sr., who was an 11year veteran of the Mingo Junction Police Department when, at age 47, he was fatally shot on Dec. 30, 1970, by
fugitive parolee Donald Nickerson of Dayton. He joined the force on March 1, 1960, and “had the compulsive desire to be the best cop possible.” The award was accepted by his son, Mike Maguschak, Cross Creek Township police chief. ¯ Business/ Professional: Pesta’s Market, a family operated business at 300 Standard Ave., Mingo Junction, where Dave and Cecilia Pesta worked
the store from the time of their marriage in 1946 and ultimately involved other family members, including sisters Barb and Becky and sister-in-law Pat Pesta. The award was accepted by Becky Pesta. ¯ Coach/ Administrators: The late Woody Hays, who coached at Mingo High School during the 1930s and served as Ohio State University’s football coach for 28 years. The award was
accepted by retired school administrator Jene Watkins, who played under Hays in the 1961 Rose Bowl. ¯ Music/Arts: Rob Parissi, songwriter, singer and guitarist who wrote the No. 1 hit “Play That Funky Music,” has established the Robert Parissi Scholarship Endowment that awards scholarships to Indian Creek High School students going on to pursue studies in music or art and is providing a new banner for Indian Creek High School. The awarded was accepted by longtime friend Francesca Carinci. ¯ Athlete: Joe Fortunato, a 1948 graduate of Mingo High School who played with the Chicago Bears from 1955-66 and was selected as one of 300 of the greatest players in the NFL by pro legends. The award was accepted by Fortunato’s brother, Butch Caputo, who along with his wife, Linda, donated $1,000 to the scholarship fund established in Fortunato’s name when he was honored at the initial banquet held Nov. 4, 2007. At that time, For-
tunato was lauded with resolutions and the key to the city along with the scholarship’s establishment where he and his wife, Catherine, donated $5,000 to the scholarship that to date has made possible the award of 14 $500 scholarships to Indian Creek students Accolades for Fortunato continued in the second half of the program, where he was recognized not only by the MBA, but also by the village and the Indian Creek Local School District. Praise for Fortunato came via comments by close friend Baci Carpico; Andrew Connor, ICHS head football coach, who announced the Joe Fortunato Player of the Year is Zach Connor, a senior and middle linebacker/fullback and extra special given it is his son; and Indian Creek Superintendent T.C. Chappalear, who explained the school board voted to designate the practice field located by the new middle school as the Joe Fortunato Student Activity Field. The MBA
donated a sign that will be installed at the newly named field, which was unveiled for the audience. The village, meanwhile, will be installing Joe Fortunato welcome signs in the north and south ends of town that were donated by Mayor John “Wiz” Fabian and Scott Fabian. A street naming also will take place with Clifton Avenue, the street on which Fortunato grew up, being named Joe Fortunato Drive. Mayor Fabian explained this to the audience as those signs also were unveiled. The evening included a surprise recognition as Bob Smith, formerly of the MBA, singled out Jim Freiling with a special community service award in honor of all he does for the village, “and everything’s done from the heart.” Pastor Sam Davis of Harmony United Methodist Church gave the invocation, and Spinning Jenny sang the national anthem. Rose Angelica and Kevin Dennis performed music prior to the event’s start.